Things did not start well at this new hotel, set in an imposing red-stone
former textile factory, dating from the 18th century, right by Manchester's
Piccadilly station.
And they did not get much better.
“The machine is slow,” said the receptionist as we waited at least five
minutes for the credit card reader. “Oh, well, let's try another one,” she
said in a sing-song voice as if it didn't really matter - did it? - hanging
around in the lobby.
We hung around. The new card reader finally worked. Then I hung around some
more by the only lift.
This took ages - after which I faced the challenge of entering my room. The
card key made a light flash red. I swore silently and waited again for the
lift back down.
“Oh, didn't it open?” asked the sing-song woman, not seeming the least bit
perturbed, fixing another key.
My room, when I eventually got in, was dull, with flat-pack-style furnishings,
including an exposed clothes rail and a tiny desk. There was a low-level bed
against which I quickly banged my shin on a sharp edge.
A pink bedcover sported the slogan “ABed of zzzz's” - playing on the peculiar
capitals in the hotel name. This gag continued in the bathroom, where there
was “ABad hair day” shampoo, a body cream referred to as “Smooth as
ABaby's.”, and a soap declaring: “In ABit of a lather”.
I was. Double-decker bus noise rumbled through the window. It was chilly. So I
went for a walk - happy to get away from ABode.
Outside, though, it was grim. Opposite the hotel was a dreary “Pound Empire”
store selling “most items £1”. Shaven-headed youths in tracksuits glared at
me near a bronze of Wellington. There was a seedy-looking “Adult Shop -
Fully Licensed”.
Would a drink at the hotel bar, a trendy space with the old factory columns
exposed and funk music, help the situation? No. Here, the only other drinker
was an inebriated elderly man in a tweed jacket who was staggering about
requesting Scotch.
It was all quite depressing.
Finally, though, ABode improved. The main restaurant is in a dimly lit
basement with orange candles and a secluded atmosphere.
I felt as though I was in a different hotel. Polite waiters quickly brought
wine and scallops delicately flavoured with cumin, followed by slices of
tender steak. A friendly, large (or should I say full-bodied?) sommelier
offered advice on wine. Ambient music played. Couples gazed across the
candles into each other's eyes.
The restaurant is clearly what ABode is all about. The food is masterminded by
the Michelin-star chef Michael Caines, who also sets the menus at the other
ABodes in Canterbury, Exeter and Glasgow.
And it is good, even though the portions are small. But is it enough to make
up for everything else?
Bottom line £115 for a B&B double
Sampling the fare £68 for three courses with wine
Best thing The food
Worst thing Daytime traffic noise
Need to know ABode Manchester (0161-200 5665, www.abodehotels.co.uk),
107 Piccadilly, M1 2DB
Room 2.5 out of 10
Food 7 out of 10
Service 3 out of 10 (hotel), 7 out of 10 (restaurant)
Value 5 out of 10
Score 4.89
PUT TO THE TEST: 20 Mystery Guest questions for... ABode Manchester
1. Do rooms have kettles/coffee makers? And is there fresh milk?
Kettles with coffee sachets and milk cartons.
2. Is there a hairdryer, and is it fixed to a wall?
Hand-held hairdryers.
3. Are coathangers metal, wooden, removable?
Metal and "some are remnoveable, some are not".
4. Complimentary bottle of water?
No.
5. Sheets and blankets or duvets?
Duvets.
6. What about a 'pillow menu'?
Different pillows on request.
7. Is lighting good enough for reading?
Yes.
8. Is there a shaving/make up mirror? And is it well lit?
No specific shaving or make-up mirror.
9. What about the in-room entertainment system?
TV, DVD, CD.
10. Is there a temperature control panel?
Yes.
11. Do the windows open?
Yes.
12. Is there good sound-proofing
Not in Mystery Guest's front-facing room, from which traffic noise could be
heard.
13. Is there wi-fi internet access?
Yes, free.
14. Is there a good place to go jogging nearby?
Not really - "it's in the middle of the city", explained a
receptionist.
15. What is the vegetarian food selection like?
Reasonable.
16. Is there baby listening/babysitting? And are children welcome at
adults’ evening meals?
No and no.
17. Is there wheelchair access to all areas?
Yes.
18. Do you get a free paper in the morning?
No.
19. Is there a pub round the corner?
Several.
20. Is there free car parking? And is it secure?
No, but there is 20 per cent off a local NCP car park.
After settling in our son at nearby uni last weekend, i took a look at ABode, didn`t take me long to spot Malmaison close by, oh how pleased we stayed at the Mal, terrific atmostphere, comfortable rooms, well appointed, staff superb with everything. Evening meal we found most enjoyable incl wines.
Paul, London,
I booked six flights to Faro yesterday evening with Jet 2 and in order to pay on my credit card I was charged a whopping £42. How can the airline justify such a huge charge especially in the wake of the failure of Excel when more peole will want the protection afforded by this method of payment?
Lisa Barker, Leeds, UK
Above average eating places being scarce in Manchester. Michael Caines restaurant at Abode looked tempting. However, the off-putting basement gloom [menu hard to read], the uninspiring items on the menu, the wait for cocktails which after 15 minutes had not shown we upped and went to Harvey Nicks...
Alasdair Frew-Bell, Manchester, Greater Manchester
A month ahead of my birthday I booked an ABode Manchester special package -2 nights B&B with dinner on one evening. A week to my arrival I was informed they could not honour my reservation and I will be 'booked out'. I had no choice but to cancell ABode Manchester deserves to fail.
tak lee, London, UK